Safety helmet with two eye shields

ABSTRACT

A safety helmet having inner and outer eye shields each movable between a retracted position and an eye-shielding position, a cover mounted on the helmet for protecting the eye shields in retracted position, and a handle for each eyeshield projecting through a slot in the cover for effecting movement of the shield to which the handle is attached. The handle of the inner eyeshield projects outwardly above an upper portion of the outer eyeshield so that downward movement of the inner eyeshield below the outer eyeshield is blocked by the upper portion of the outer eyeshield. Thus the inner shield can be moved down into eyeshielding position only when the outer shield is already in eyeshielding position.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Jackson Anthony Aileo Carbondale, Pa. [21 Appl. No. 851,549 [22] Filed Aug. 20, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 31, 1971 [73 l Assignce Gentex Corporation Carbondale, Pa.

[ 54] SAFETY HELMET WITH TWO EYE SHIELDS 17 Claims, 16 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 2/6 [51] Int. CI.. A42b 3/00 [50] Field of Search 2/3, 6, 8, 9,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,277,090 3/1942 Feiler 2/8 3,315,272 4/1967 Olt et al. 2/6 3,491,371 1/1970 Angelis 2/6 Primary Ex'aminerJames R. Boler Attorneys-Christopher C. Dunham, Robert S. Dunham, P. E.

Henninger, Lester W. Clark, Gerald Grifl'rn, Thomas P. Moran, Howard J. Churchill, R. Bradlee Boal and Robert Scobey ABSTRACT: A safety helmet having inner and outer eye shields each movable between a retracted position and an eyeshielding position, a cover mounted on the helmet for protecting the eye shields in retracted position, and a handle for each eyeshield projecting through a slot in the cover for efiecting movement of the shield to which the handle is attached. The handle of the inner eyeshield projects outwardly above an upper portion of the outer eyeshield so that downward movement of the inner eyeshield below the outer eyeshield is blocked by the upper portion of the outer eyeshield. Thus the inner shield can be moved down into eyeshielding position only when the outer shield is already in eye-shielding position.

PATENTEU M1831 Ian sum 1 or 4 I NVENTOR.

A TORNEV PATENTED AUG3I I971 SHEET 3 [IF 4 4 14. C C FFE SAFETY HELMET WITH TWO EYE sIIIELns BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION This invention relates to safety helmets, and more particularly to safety helmets having a pair of eyeshields each movable between a shielding position in front of the wearer's eyes and a retracted position above the eyes.

Safety helmets, of the type having a rigid shell and an internal rigging for suspending the shell in spaced relation to a wearer's head, are used for protection of the head against blows or impacts in a wide variety of industrial operations, aviation, and other activities. It is common to provide such a helmet with an eyeshield for protecting the wearers eyes, e.g. against flying objects, wind blast, and/or high-intensity light. Desirably, the eyeshield should be movable between its shielding position and a retracted position above the forward part of the helmet, to facilitate donning and removing the helmet, as well as to permit clear and unobstructed vision for the wearer in circumstances that do not require shielding of the eyes. A cover may be provided for the eyeshield, extending across the forward portion of the helmet and defining therewith a recess for receiving the eyeshield in retracted position, so as to protect the eyeshield against scratches or other damage when retracted.

otherwise some cases, it is desirable to provide a helmet having two eyeshields, one clear and the other tinted or otherwise treated to reduce its light-transmissive properties. The tinted eyeshield may be used when necessary to reduce glare in conditions of relatively high ambient light intensity, while the clear shield is used to assure good vision, with protection of the eyes from flying objects or wind blast, under conditions of relatively poor illumination. Such eyeshield arrangements are shown, for example, in applicants copending application Ser. No. 609,827 filed Jan. 17, 1967 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,495,273 for Safety Helmet with Retractable Eye Shield. In the arrangement there disclosed, both eyeshields are received within the cover when in retracted position, one of the shields being positioned outwardly of the other with respect to the helmet shell.

While the known helmet structures having dual eyeshields are satisfactory from the standpoint of providing the desired selective eye protection, they add significantly to the cost and weight of the helmet, owing in particular to the fact that each of the two eyeshields must be sufficiently sturdy to protect the wearers eyes against blows and flying objects, and to remain stable in shielding position when exposed to wind blast forces tending to lift the shield away from such position. That is to say, in these known structures, the two eyeshields are entirely independently movable between their respective eyeshielding and retracted positions, so that when the tinted eyeshield is in shielding position, the clear eyeshield may be retracted; hence, to afford adequate stability of the shield and protection against blows or flying objects under all conditions of illumination, the tinted shield as well as the clear shield must be relatively heavy and rugged.

Another difficulty heretofore encountered in the provision of a pair of eyeshields on a helmet resides in the mounting of the shields for selective independent movement. A convenient way of mounting an eyeshield with a protective cover is to provide tracks on the helmet, having grooves for receiving side edge portions of the eyeshield for guided sliding movement thereof between the retracted and shielding positions, and to affix a combination handle and detent means to the upper portion of the shield. This handle-detent structure projects through a slot in the cover and may be arranged to releasably engage edge portions of the slot so as to secure the eyeshield in any of several selected positions. Arrangements of this type are shown, for example, in US. Pat. Nos. 3,237,203 and 3,400,407. Connection of such a handle and detent structure to the inner one of a pair of eyeshields, in known helmets having two eyeshields, has necessitated use of relatively complex linkages and/or positioning of the handle at a location not fully satisfactory from the standpoint of smooth operation or manipulative convenience, in order to avoid obstruction of the outer eyeshield by the handle of the inner eyeshield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates the provision of a safety helmet including a shell adapted to receive the head of a wearer; first and'second eyeshields; and means fixed on the shell and supporting side portions of both eyeshields for movement of each eyeshield along an arcuate path between an eyeshielding position in front of the wearer's eyes and a retracted position above the front part of the shell the first eyeshield being disposed outwardly of the second eyeshield. As incorporated in this combination of elements, the improvement of the invention broadly comprises the provision of stop means, carried by an upper portion of the second eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom above an upper portion of the first eyeshield, for engaging the upper portion of the first eyeshield to prevent downward movement of the second eyeshield below the first eyeshield. The of the invention thus permits movement of the second or inner eyeshield into shielding position only when the first eyeshield is in shielding position. in consequence, only the first or outer eyeshield need have the structural sturdiness required to withstand blows or impacts as from flying objects and to remain stable under wind blast conditions. For example, the inner eyeshield may be tinted and relatively thin or light (i.e. it need not in itself be strong enough to shield the eyes against blows or impacts), serving only to shield the wearer's eyes from high levels of illumination, since whenever this inner eyeshield is down in shielding position, the outer eyeshield must necessarily also be down, providing protection against blows or impacts and also protecting the inner shield against displacement by wind blast. in other words, the above-described structure of the invention permits the inner eyeshield to be made light and thin because this structure prevents the wearer from inadvertently shielding his eyes with the inner eyeshield along.

Each of the eyeshields may be provided with means for selectively retaining it at either of its eyeshielding or retracted positions, such means conveniently including a handle manipulatable to release the shield for movement to another position. Each of these retaining means may comprise interengageable detent elements respectively carried by the eyeshield and supported bythe helmet. The retaining means of the second or inner eyeshield is so arranged as to permit upward movement of the inner eyeshield to be effected by up ward pressure of the first eyeshield on the stop means.

With this arrangement of elements, the outer eyeshield may be moved from retracted position to shielding position independently of the inner eyeshield, but if the inner eyeshield is subsequently moved down to shielding position behind the outer eyeshield, restoration of both eyeshields to retracted position requires only a single manipulation, i.e. as necessary to effect such upward movement of the outer eyeshield. In other words, upward movement of the outer eyeshield from shielding to retracted position is imparted to the inner eyeshield through the stop means.

As a further particular feature of the invention, in combination with an eyeshield cover affixed to the helmet shell and defining therewith a recess for receiving the two eyeshields in their retracted positions, one detent element of the retaining means for the inner eyeshield may be carried by the stop means (or may itself constitute the stop means) and may project through a slot in the cover extending in the direction of eyeshield movement. The second element of the retaining means may constitute edge portion of the slot. The retaining means for the first or outer eyeshield may similarly project from that shield outwardly through a slot in the cover. Thus, the handles and retaining means for the two eyeshields may be directly attached to the respective shields and may be readily accessible in slots conveniently positioned on the eyeshield cover. Because the inner eyeshield is movable downwardly retaining means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION or TH DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a safety helmet embodying the present invention in a particular form;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the helmet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; I

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

, FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, partly in section,'taken along the Iine-7--7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectionalview taken along the line 99 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but taken from the rear of the inner eyeshield of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

, FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 12l2 of FIG. 1 1;

'FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view of still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detailed view of the handle and retaining means for the inner eyeshield of the embodiment of FIG. I3;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 15l5 ofFIG. l3; and

. FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of a still further modified embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION retracted position above the forward portion of the helmet shell (the position of shield 14 in FIGS. 1-2) and a retracted position above the forward portion of the helmet shell (the position of shield 14 in FIGS. 1-2). Shield 12 is disposed outwardly of shield 14 with respect to the helmet shell.

' The shields are mounted on the helmet by guide means comprising a pair of curved tracks 16 respectively fixedly secured to the shell 1 l at opposite sides of the shell outer surface. These tracks'receive and support the opposite side edges of both shields for guided sliding movement, Le. to provide the described up-and-down movement of the two shields in their respective paths. As best seen in FIG. 9, each of the tracks 16 7 "defines an inner way or groove 17 for receiving a side edge of the inner shield 14, and an outer way or groove 18 for receiving a side edge of the outer shield 12. These grooves are shaped to cooperate with longitudinal beads 19 respectively formed along each side edge of each shield in such manner as to restrain the shield side edges against lateral movement out of the tracks.

A rigid, curved eyeshield cover 20 extends across and is spaced forwardly from the forward portion of the shell 11, to

define a downwardly opening recess 21 for receiving both eyeshields 12 and 14 in their retracted positions. The opposite side edges of the cover20 respectively overlie the tracks 16 and are fixedly secured therewith to the shell 11 by fastening elements 22 (e.g. screws or rivets). 1 v

Insofar as described above, the helmet I0 is generally conventional in character, and is exemplary of helmets with double eyeshields in which the present invention may be incorporated. Details of construction of the foregoing structure are well known to those skilled in the art and accordingly need riot be further described. I

.The cover 20 has en elongated slot 24 extending along the fore and aft centerline of the helmet, i.e. in the direction of the paths of movement of the two eyeshields l2 and 14. Reinforcing strips 25 are secured to, and extend along, the opposite longitudinal side edges of the slot. Mounted for sliding movement along this slot 24 are a first combination handle and detant member 26 detachably connected to the outer eyeshield 12, and a second combination handle and detent member 28 detachably connected to the inner eyeshield 14. Each of these members 26 and 28 is adapted toengage edge portions of the slots 24, to hold the eyeshield to which it is connected in either the retracted or the shielding position, or in any intermediate position. In addition, each of these members is manipulatable to release and move its associated eyeshield from any such position to any other position within the eyeshield path of travel.

As best seen in FIGS. 3-5, the member 26 comprises an enlarged button 30, disposed on the outer surface of the cover 20 in register with and overlying the side edges of the slot 24, and a stud 31 projecting outwardly through the slot from the upper portion of the eyeshield 12 within the recess 21. The

stud has a shank 32 of square cross section disposed within the slot between the opposite side edges thereof, an externally threaded post 33 projecting outwardly from shank 32, and a pair of flanges 34 projecting laterally from the shank 32 within the recess 21, in position to engage portions of the inner surface of cover 20 immediately adjacent to the opposite side edges of the slot. The button 30 is threaded on post 33, and is movable axially along the post by turning relative to the post. Thus, turning of the button in one directiondraws the button and flanges 34 close together on opposite sides of the slot edges, until the slot edges are clamped between the button and flanges thereby securing the detent member 26 in a fixed position relative to the cover. Turning of the: button in the opposite direction separates the button and flanges to release the detent member 26 for movement along the slot. The dimensions and square shape of the shank 32 prevent turning of the shank within the slot 24 (because the slot edges interfere with the shank to prevent such turning) as the button is turned. To retain the button on the post, a screw 36 having a head overlying the button outer surface is threaded in an axial bore 37 formed in the outer end of the post; the screw 36 and bore 37 are threaded in a direction opposite to the interengaging threads of the post and button, so that turning of the button cannot accidentally dislodge the screw 36.

Inwardly of the flanges 34, the stud bears a furtherpair of I laterally extending flanges 39 spaced from the flanges 34 by a stud portion 40 of narrow rectangular cross section. Portion 40 is received within a notch 41 of keyhole shape formed in' the center of the upper edge portion of the eyeshield 12, with the flanges 34 and 39 respectively extending over the adjacent outer and inner surface portions of the eyeshield. The stud portion 40 is so shaped as to be insertable in or removable from the notch 41 (i.e. through the narrow opening of the notch in the upper edge of the eyeshield) when the flanges 34, 39 are oriented vertically, but is locked in the notch when the stud is turned to orient the flanges horizontally, providing secure connection of the member 26 to the eyeshield 12 so that the eyeshield moves between its retracted and shielding positions in correspondence with movement of the member 26 along slot 24.

The member 28 (best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6-8) is positioned above the member 26 in slot 24, and includes a stud 44 which may be similar in structure to the above-described stud 31. Stud 44 is detachably connected to the upper edge portion of the inner eyeshield 14, in the same way that stud 31 is connected to the shield 12, i.e. being inserted in a keyhole-shaped notch 45 formed in the center of the upper edge portion of shield 14, and projects outwardly from the shield through the recess 21 toward and in register with the slot 24. However, the flanges of the stud 44 are spaced inwardly from, and hence are not engageable with, the inner surface of the cover 20.

The member 28 further includes a screw 47 threaded in an axial bore 48 in the outer end of the stud 44. This screw has a smooth cylindrical shaft 50 projecting outwardly from the stud 44 through the slot 24, and terminating at its outer extremity in an enlarged head 51. A pair of dogs 52 are mounted on the shaft 50 for pivotal movement about the shaft axis, and respectively abut the two facing side edges of the slot 24, being held in such engagement by a torsion spring 53 which is also mounted on shaft 50 and has two legs 55 respectively bearing against the two dogs to urge them toward the respective slot side edges. The frictional engagement thus effected between the dogs and edges of the slot serves to retain the eyeshield 14 fixed in any position to which it may be moved, but may be overcome (permitting sliding movement of the dogs along the slot side edges, and concomitant displacement of the shield 14) by a sufficient positive force exerted on the eyeshield 14 in the direction of the path of guided movement of the eyeshield. Each of the dogs has a handle 57 projecting outwardly of the cover these handles are so disposed that they can be manually pinched together to pull the dogs away from the slot side edges, against the force of spring 53, thereby to release the shield 14 for manual movement between its retracted and shielding positions.

The detent member 28 comprising stud 44, screw 47 and dogs 52 is (as stated) disposed above the detent member 26 in the slot 24, projecting outwardly from the inner eyeshield 14 through the recess 21 and through the slot, above the upper edge 58 of the outer eyeshield 12. Consequently, downward movement of the member 28 in the slot 24 brings the member 28 into engagement with member 26 and/or the upper edge 58 of the outer eyeshield l2, and this engagement blocks further downward movement of the member 28 and of the eyeshield 14 therewith. Owing to the fact that both members 26 and 28 are secured to upper edge portions of the respective eyeshields l2 and 14, the described interference of member 26 and/or the upper edge 58 of the eyeshield 12 with member 28 prevents downward movement of the inner shield 14 below the shield 12.

In assembling the structure of FIGS. 1-9, the tracks 16 and cover 20 are first secured to the helmet shell 11 by means of the fastening elements 22. The eyeshields l2 and 14, lacking the members 26 and 28, are mounted on the structure by insertion of their side edges into the grooves 18 and 19, respectively, these grooves being open their lower ends to receive the eyeshield edges. Stud 31, oriented so that its flanges 34, 39 are parallel to slot 24, is inserted through the slot into the notch 41 in the eyeshield l2 and pushed inwardly until its shank 32 clears the inner edges of the slot (bending the upper portion of the resilient eyeshield 12), so that it may be turned 90and thereby locked in place in the notch. After the stud has been thus secured to the shield 12, the button and the screw 36 are threaded on the stud post 33. Stud 44 is next secured (in the same manner described above with reference to stud 31) to the inner eyeshield 14, and the screw 47 bearing dogs 52 and spring 53 is threaded in stud 44. Assembly is now As long as shield 12 remains in retracted position, the inner eyeshield 14 must necessarily also remain in retracted position, since the detent member 26 and the upper edge 58 of the outer shield 12 interfere with the member 28 so as to block downward movement of the shield 14. However, once the shield 12 has been moved down to eye-shielding position, the inner shield 14 may also be moved to shielding position (i.e. behind shield 12) by manually pinching the dog handles 57 together to release the member 28 and drawing the member. 28 downwardly until it again abuts the member 26 and/or thev upper edge 58 of the outer shield. Release of the dog handles 57 restores frictional engagement of the dogs with the side edges of slot 24.

If it is desired to retract the inner shield 14 while leaving the shield 12 down the shielding position, the dog handles 57 are pinched together and moved upwardly along slot 24, being released when the member 28 reaches the upper end of the slot, to hold the shield 14 again in retracted position. However, if it is desired to move both shields 12 and 14 simultaneously upward from their shielding positions into retracted position, this may be done by simply loosening the button 30 of the detent member 26 and pushing it upwardly along slot 24. The upward force thus transmitted to the member 28 by the engagement of member 26 and/or edge 58 therewith is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance of the dogs 52 and hence to effect lifting of the inner eyeshield 14 along with the outer eyeshield 12.

Since the inner eyeshield 14 cannot be-moved into eyeshielding position except when the outer eyeshield 12 is already in such position, only the outer shield need be sufficiently sturdy to protect the wearers eyes against blows or impacts and to resist wind blast that might tend to lift the shield. in other words, since the outer shield is always in shielding position when the inner shield is used, the outer shield serves to protect the inner shield against displacement resulting from wind blast. Accordingly, the inner shield may be relatively light (as compared with the outer shield) and may for example be tinted or otherwise treated to reduce transmission of light, serving merely to protect the eyes from high levels of illumination, while the outer shield is clear and is rugged enough to withstand blows, impacts and wind blast.

Another advantage of the structure of FIGS. 1-9 is that the two detent members are connected directly to the respective shields and are positioned at central localities of the shields, i.e. substantially halfway between the shield side edges. This structural arrangement is conveniently simple; in addition, owing to the central positioning of the detent members, manual force applied thereto for moving the shields is distributed substantially equally to both side edges so that the shields move smoothly and evenly in their tracks.

A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10-12. This embodiment includes outer and inner eyeshields 12 and 14, an eyeshield cover 20 with a central slot 24, and a detent member 26 for the outer eyeshield 12, all constructed and arranged essentially as shown in F168. 1-9 and described above. However, in place of the detent member 28. there is provided an alternative type of handle and detent member 60 detachably connected to the inner eyeshield 14, and a pair of corrugated spring strips 62 adapted to cooperate with the member 60 are mounted on the inner surface of the cover 20 and respectively extend along that surface in spaced parallel relation to the opposite side edges of the slot 24. The spacing between each side edge of the slot and adjacent corrugated strip 62 is sufficient to provide a smooth, flat area of the cover inner surface immediately adjacent to each slot side edge for engagement by the flanges 34 of the detent member 26.

The detent member 60 includes an enlarged, knob-shaped handle 64 disposed outwardly of the slot 24 in register therewith, and a stud 66 which is detachably secured to the inner eye shield 14 through a keyhole-shaped notch 67 in the center of the upper edge portion of that shield, in the same manner that studs 31 and 44 are secured to the respective eyeshields 12 and 14 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9. Outwardly of the eyeshield 14 but within the recess 21 defined'by the cover20, the stud 66 bears a pair of laterally extending flanges 68 having ridges 68a facing outwardly toward, and

respectively engageable with, the corrugated strips 62. The

between the button and the handle 64, urges the button 73 (and the stud 66 connected thereto) outwardly with respect to the handle 64 and cover 20 so as to bias the ridges 68a of flanges 68 into engagement with the corrugated strips 62. This engagement of the a teeth with the corrugated strips holds the inner eyeshield l4 fixed inits retracted or eye-shielding position or in any intermediate position. The detent member 60 may be released by manual inward depression of the button 73, which moves the stud 66 inwardly against the biasing force of spring 75 and thereby disengages the ridges 680 from the strips'62, freeing the member 60 and shield 14 for movement. A sufficient force exerted in the direction of the path of move ment of the shield 14 will also overcome the biasing force of spring 75 and cause the ridges 68a to ride along the corrugated strip surfaces, withv concomitant movement of the eyeshield 14.

g The detent member 60, like the member 28 of the structure of FIGS. [-9, is disposed above the member 26 and upper edge 58 of the eyeshield 12, and projects outwardly through the recess 21 and slot 24 from the inner eyeshield 14. Thus when the member 60 is moved downwardly in the slot 24, the extent of its downward travel is limited by engagement with the detent member 26 and/or the edge 58 of shield 12, so that (as in the structure of FIGS. 1-9) the shield 14 is prevented from downward movement below the shield 12. In other words; while the shield 12 can be moved independently between its retracted and shielding positions, the shield 14 can be moved from retracted position into shielding position only when the outer shield 12 is already in shielding position. From the shielding position, the inner shield 14 may be returned to retracted position by pressing the button 73 and moving the handle 64 upwardly, or the two shields l2 and 14 may be retracted together by simply loosening the detent member 26 and moving it upwardly. 1n the latter case, the upward force exerted on member 26 is transmitted to the inner shield 14 and member 60 by the engagement of member 60 with member 26 and/or the edge 58 of shield 12; this force overcomes the bias of spring 75 and causes the ridges 68a to ride upwardly along the corrugated strips 62.

A still further modified embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 13-1 5. This embodiment again includes inner and outer eyeshields 12 and 14, an eyeshield cover 20 with a slot 24, and a detent member 26 detachably secured to the outer shield 12, all of these elements being constructed and arranged as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9. In the structure of FIGS. 13-15, however, a pair of toothed tracks 80 are respectively mounted on and extend along, the opposite side edges of the slot 24, and a detent member 82 adapted to cooperate with tracks 80 is detachably secured to the inner eyeshield 14, i.e. in place of the detent members 28 and 60 of the foregoing embodiments.

The tracks 80 bear regular arrays of serrations or teeth 83 projecting toward the centerline of the slot 24, each tooth 83 having plane horizontal upper surface and a lower surface sloping downwardly and outwardly (with respect to the slot centerline) at a substantial angle to the horizontal. Member 82 includes a stud 84 detachably secured to the shield 14 through a keyhole notch 86 formed in the center of the upper edge portion of the shield, and a screw 88 threaded in a bore in the outer face of stud 84 and projecting outwardly therefrom through the slot 24. A pair of dogs 90 are mounted on screw 88 for pivotal movement about the screw axis, and diverge downwardly therefrom into engagement with the teeth 83 of the two tracks respectively. A torsion spring 92, also mounted in surrounding relation to the screw 88, acts on the dogs to urge them outwardly into such engagement with the teeth. Each of the dogs further has a handle portion disposed outwardly of the cover 20; the two handle portions 95 diverge upwardly from the screw 88 and are so arranged that when they are pinched together the dogs move inwardly from the teeth 83 against the force of spring 92, releasing the detent member 82 for upward or downward movement of th shield 14.

In the absence of externally applied force, the dogs 90 respectively bear against the horizontal upper surfaces of a pair of the teeth 83, and this positive engagement of the dogs and teeth prevents downward movement of the eyeshield 14 except when the handles 95 are pinched together. However, upward force exerted on the member 82 in the direction of the path of movement of the eyeshield 14 causes the dogs to ride upwardly along the sloping lower surfaces of the teeth 83 and thereby effects upward movement of the shield 14.

To stabilize the position of' member 82 against inward or outward movement relative to slot 24, stud 84 may have an enlarged flange portion 97 extending laterally across the slot on the inner surface of cover 20, and a bar98 of similar lateral extent may be mounted on the screw 88 in position to extend across the slot on the outer surface of the cover 20.

As in the embodiments described above, the detent member 82 secured to the shield 14 extends outwardly therefrom through the recess 21 within cover 20 and through the slot 24 in such position that downward movement of the member 82 with shield 14 brings the member 82 into engagement with the member 26 and/or the upper edge 58 of the outer shield 12. Consequently, the shield 14 cannot be moved downwardly below shield 12', being prevented from movement to shielding position except when the shield 12 is already in shielding position. Member 82, in cooperation with the tracks 80,'holds the shield 14 in any position to which it may be moved along its path of travel; but when the shield 14, as wellas shield 12, is in shielding position, the two shields may be moved upwardly together by loosening and applying an upward force to the member 26, since that force, transmitted to the member 82 (which is engaged by member 26 and/or edge 58), effects upward sliding movement of the dogs 90 along the teeth of the tracks 80.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 16, the detent members respectively connected to the outer and inner eyeshields 12 and 14 move along separate, parallel slots 100, 101 formed in the cover 20, rather than along a single common slot. The detent member 26, detachably secured to the outer eyeshield 12 and moving along slot 100, may be identical to the member 26 described in the foregoing embodiments. A detent member 104, detachably secured to the upper edge portion of the inner eyeshield 14, projects outwardly therefrom through the recess defined by cover 20 and through the slot 101 above the upper edge 58 of the outer eyeshield 12. Member 104 (which may be any suitable type of combination handle and detent member for an eyeshield) is limited in its downward travel by engagement with a notched portion 106 of the upper edge 58 of shield 12 so that the shield 14 is prevented from downward movement below shield 12. In other words, in the embodiments of FIG. 16, as in the other embodiments described above, the shield 14 may be moved into shielding position only when the shield 12 is already in shielding position, because of the interference of shield 12 with downward movement of the detent member 104.

I claim:

1. A safety helmet including:

a. a shell adapted to receive the head of a wearer;

b. first and second eyeshields;

0. means fixed on the shell and supporting side portions of both eyeshields for movement of each eyeshield along a curved path between an eye-shielding position in front of the wearers eyes and a retracted position above the front part of the shell, said first eyeshield being disposed outwardly of said second eyeshield; and

d. means for positively preventing downward movement of said first eyeshield below its eye-shielding position; wherein the improvement comprises:

e. stop means, carried by an upper portion of said second eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom above an upper portion of said first eyeshield so that said upper portion of said first eyeshield interferes therewith, for preventing downward movement of said second eyeshield below said first eyeshield.

2. A helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said first eyeshield is substantially thicker and heavier than said second eyeshield.

3. A helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said first eyeshield is substantially more transmissive to light than said second eyeshield.

4. A helmet as defined in claim 1, including means for selectively retaining said first eyeshield at for retaining of said eyeshield in and of plural positions, and means for independently retaining said second eyeshield at its retracted position, said second eyeshield retaining means being adapted element for permit upward movement of said second eyeshield from eye-shielding position to retracted position by an upward force exerted through said upper portion of said first eyeshield on said stop means.

5. A helmet as defined in claim 4, wherein said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a. a first element carried by said shell and b. a second element carried by said second eyeshield and spring biased into engagement with said first element for retaining said second eyeshielding any of plural selected positions along its path of movement, saidsecond element being manually releaseable from engagement with said first element for permitting movement of said second eyeshield, and being slidable upwardly relative to said first element, when in engagement therewith, by an upward force exerted through said upper portion of said first eyeshield on said stop means.

6. A helmet as defined in claim 5, wherein said second element is mounted on said stop means.

7. A safety helmet including:

a. a shell adapted to receive the head of the wearer;

b. first and second eyeshields; and

c. means fixed on the shell and supporting side portions of both eyeshields for movement of each eyeshield along a curved path between an eye-shielding position in front of the wearers eyes and a retracted position above the front part of the shell, said first eyeshield being disposed outwardly of said second eyeshield; wherein the improvement comprises:

d. stop means, carried by an upper portion of said second eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom above an upper portion of said first eyeshield so that said upper portion of said first eyeshield interferes therewith, for preventing downward movement of said second eyeshield below said first eyeshield; and

e. a cover affixed to the shell and defining therewith a recess for receiving said eyeshields in their retracted positions, said cover having at least one elongated central slot extending in the direction of movement of said eyeshields, said stop means projecting outwardly through said one slot and bearing on its outer end a first handle for effecting manual movement of said second eyeshield.

8. A helmet as defined in claim 7, further including a second handle connected to said first eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom through an elongated central slot in said cover for effecting manual movement ofsaid first eyeshield.

9. A helmet as defined in claim 8, further comprising manually actuatable means including an element carried by said second handle for selectively retaining said first eyeshield at either of said eye-shielding and retracted positions, and manually actuatable means including an element carried by said stop means for independently retaining said second eyeshield at its retracted position, said second eyeshield retaining means being adapted to permit upward movement of said second eyeshield from eye-shielding position to retracted position by an upward force exerted through said upperportion of said first eyeshield on said stop means. v

10. A helmet as defined in claim 8, wherein said. second handle projects through said one slot and is disposed therein below said stop means.

1 l. A helmet as defined in claim 8, wherein said cover has a second elongated central slot extending in spaced parallel relation to said one slot and said second handle projects through said second slot.

12. A safety helmet including:

a. a shell adapted to receive the head of a wearer;

b. first and second eyeshields;

c. guide means fixed on the shell and receiving the side edges of both eyeshields for sliding movement of each eyeshield between an eye-shielding position in front of the wearers eyes and a retracted position above the front part of the shell, said guide means providing arcuate paths of movement for said side edges of saideyeshields, said first eyeshield being disposed outwardly of said second eyeshield; and

d. an eyeshield cover affixed to the shell and defining therewith a recess for receiving said eyeshields in their retracted positions, said cover having at least one elongated central slot extending in the direction of movement of said eyeshields; wherein the improvement comprises:

e. a stop member, carried by an upper portion of said second eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom through said one slot above an upper portion of said first eyeshield to prevent downward movement of said second eyeshield below said first eyeshield, said stop member bearing a first handle disposed outwardly of said cover for effecting manual movement of said second eyeshield;

. means for retaining said second eyeshield at its retracted position, said means including i. a first element extending along a side edge of said one slot and ii. a second element carried by said stop member and spring biased into engagement with said first element for retaining said second eyeshield in any of plural selected positions along its path of movement, said second element being manually releasably from engagement with said first element for permitting movement of said second eyeshield, and being slidable upwardly relative to said first element, when in engagement therewith, by an upward force exerted through said upper portion of said first eyeshield on said stop member;

g. a second handle connected to said first eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom through an elongated central slot in said cover for effecting manual movement of said first eyeshield; and

h. manually actuatable means including an element carried by said second handle for selectively retaining said first eyeshield at either of said eye-shielding and retracted positions.

13. A helmet as defined in claim 12, wherein said first element of said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a portion of said cover extending along said edge of said one slot, and said second element of said second eyeshield-retaining means is disposed and adapted to frictionally engage said cover portion.

14. A helmet as defined in claim [2, wherein said first element of said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a corrugated strip mounted on said cover, and said second element of said second eyeshield-retaining means includes a ridge disposed and adapted to be received between adjacent projecting portions of said corrugated strip.

15. A helmet as defined in claim 14, wherein said second handle projects through said one slot below said stop member, said first eyeshield-retaining means includes an element carried by and cooperating with said second handle for clamping a portion of said cover extending along a side edge of said one slot, said last-mentioned cover portion being disposed between said corrugated strip and said last-mentioned slot sid edge.

16. A helmet as defined in claim 12, wherein said first element of said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a track mounted on a side edge of said one slot and bearing an array of teeth projecting toward the centerline of said one slot, each of said teeth having a horizontal upper surface and a lower surface sloping toward the last-mentioned slot side edge; and wherein said second element of said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a dog pivoted on said stop member, spring biased toward said last-mentioned slot side edge and disposed to bear downwardly on an upper surface of a tooth of said array, said dog being slidable upwardly along the sloping lower surfaces of said teeth by an upward force exerted on said stop member as aforesaid.

17. A safety helmet comprising:

a. a shell adaptedto receive the head of a wearer;

b. first and second eyeshields;

c. means for mounting both eyeshields on the shell for movement of each eyeshield between an eye-shielding position in front of the wearers eyes and a retracted position above the front part of the shell, the eyeshields moving in spaced paths; x

d. means for positively preventing downward movement of said first eyeshield beyond its eye-shielding position; and

e. means, including a projection carried by one of the eyeshields and extending into the path of movement of the other eyeshield, for preventing movement of said second eyeshield to eye-shielding position when said first eyeshield is in retracted position, said last-mentioned means, permitting movement of said first eyeshield to eyeshielding position independently of said second eyeshield.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3.601 8l3 Dated August 31. 1971 Inventor(s) .Igr-ksio'n Anthony IH'len It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1, line 27, "otherwise" should read --In-- Col. 2, line 13, after "shell" insert a comma;

line 21, after "The" insert --structure-- line 39, "along" should read --alone-- line 69, after "constitute" insert --an-- Col. 4, line 17, "tant" should read --tent-- line 21, "slots 2 should read --slot 2 4-- Col. 5, line. 55, after "being'open" insert --at- Col. 6, line l5, "down the" should read --down in-- Col. 7, line 5, before "corrugated" insert --two-- line 17, before "teeth" delete "a" and insert --flange-- line 68,- before "plane" insert --a-- Col. 9, line 22, delete "for retaining of said eyeshield in and of plural positions" and substitute therefor --either of said eye shielding and retracted positions-- lines 25 and 26, delete "element for" and substitute therefor --to-- line 35, "eyeshielding" should-read --eyeshield in-- Col. lO,line 48, "releasably" should read --q.releasable-- Signed and sealed this 20th day of June 1972? (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHEIR, JR. ROBERT GOTISGHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM P0-\oso (10-69) uscomwoc cove-Pu 

1. A safety helmet including: a. a shell adapted to receive the head of a wearer; b. first and second eyeshields; c. means fixed on the shell and supporting side portions of both eyeshields for movement of each eyeshield along a curved path between an eye-shielding position in front of the wearer''s eyes and a retracted position above the front part of the shell, said first eyeshield being disposed outwardly of said second eyeshield; and d. means for positively preventing downward movement of said first eyeshield below its eye-shielding position; wherein the improvement comprises: e. stop means, carried by an upper portion of said second eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom above an upper portion of said first eyeshield so that said upper portion of said first eyeshield interferes therewith, for preventing downward movement of said second eyeshield below said first eyeshield.
 2. A helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said first eyeshield is substantially thicker and heavier than said second eyeshield.
 3. A helmet as defined in claim 1, wherein said first eyeshield is substantially more transmissive to light than said second eyeshield.
 4. A helmet as defined in claim 1, including means for selectively retaining said first eyeshield at for retaining of said eyeshield in and of plural positions, and means for independently retaining said second eyeshield at its retracted position, said second eyeshield retaining means being adapted element for permit upward movement of said second eyeshield from eye-shielding position to retracted positioN by an upward force exerted through said upper portion of said first eyeshield on said stop means.
 5. A helmet as defined in claim 4, wherein said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a. a first element carried by said shell and b. a second element carried by said second eyeshield and spring biased into engagement with said first element for retaining said second eyeshielding any of plural selected positions along its path of movement, said second element being manually releaseable from engagement with said first element for permitting movement of said second eyeshield, and being slidable upwardly relative to said first element, when in engagement therewith, by an upward force exerted through said upper portion of said first eyeshield on said stop means.
 6. A helmet as defined in claim 5, wherein said second element is mounted on said stop means.
 7. A safety helmet including: a. a shell adapted to receive the head of the wearer; b. first and second eyeshields; and c. means fixed on the shell and supporting side portions of both eyeshields for movement of each eyeshield along a curved path between an eye-shielding position in front of the wearer''s eyes and a retracted position above the front part of the shell, said first eyeshield being disposed outwardly of said second eyeshield; wherein the improvement comprises: d. stop means, carried by an upper portion of said second eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom above an upper portion of said first eyeshield so that said upper portion of said first eyeshield interferes therewith, for preventing downward movement of said second eyeshield below said first eyeshield; and e. a cover affixed to the shell and defining therewith a recess for receiving said eyeshields in their retracted positions, said cover having at least one elongated central slot extending in the direction of movement of said eyeshields, said stop means projecting outwardly through said one slot and bearing on its outer end a first handle for effecting manual movement of said second eyeshield.
 8. A helmet as defined in claim 7, further including a second handle connected to said first eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom through an elongated central slot in said cover for effecting manual movement of said first eyeshield.
 9. A helmet as defined in claim 8, further comprising manually actuatable means including an element carried by said second handle for selectively retaining said first eyeshield at either of said eye-shielding and retracted positions, and manually actuatable means including an element carried by said stop means for independently retaining said second eyeshield at its retracted position, said second eyeshield retaining means being adapted to permit upward movement of said second eyeshield from eye-shielding position to retracted position by an upward force exerted through said upper portion of said first eyeshield on said stop means.
 10. A helmet as defined in claim 8, wherein said second handle projects through said one slot and is disposed therein below said stop means.
 11. A helmet as defined in claim 8, wherein said cover has a second elongated central slot extending in spaced parallel relation to said one slot and said second handle projects through said second slot.
 12. A safety helmet including: a. a shell adapted to receive the head of a wearer; b. first and second eyeshields; c. guide means fixed on the shell and receiving the side edges of both eyeshields for sliding movement of each eyeshield between an eye-shielding position in front of the wearer''s eyes and a retracted position above the front part of the shell, said guide means providing arcuate paths of movement for said side edges of said eyeshields, said first eyeshield being disposed outwardly of said second eyeshield; and d. an eyeshield cover affixed to the shell and defining therewith a recess for receiving said eyeshields in their retracted positions, said cover having at least one elongated central slot extending in the direction of movement of said eyeshields; wherein the improvement comprises: e. a stop member, carried by an upper portion of said second eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom through said one slot above an upper portion of said first eyeshield to prevent downward movement of said second eyeshield below said first eyeshield, said stop member bearing a first handle disposed outwardly of said cover for effecting manual movement of said second eyeshield; f. means for retaining said second eyeshield at its retracted position, said means including i. a first element extending along a side edge of said one slot and ii. a second element carried by said stop member and spring biased into engagement with said first element for retaining said second eyeshield in any of plural selected positions along its path of movement, said second element being manually releasably from engagement with said first element for permitting movement of said second eyeshield, and being slidable upwardly relative to said first element, when in engagement therewith, by an upward force exerted through said upper portion of said first eyeshield on said stop member; g. a second handle connected to said first eyeshield and projecting outwardly therefrom through an elongated central slot in said cover for effecting manual movement of said first eyeshield; and h. manually actuatable means including an element carried by said second handle for selectively retaining said first eyeshield at either of said eye-shielding and retracted positions.
 13. A helmet as defined in claim 12, wherein said first element of said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a portion of said cover extending along said edge of said one slot, and said second element of said second eyeshield-retaining means is disposed and adapted to frictionally engage said cover portion.
 14. A helmet as defined in claim 12, wherein said first element of said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a corrugated strip mounted on said cover, and said second element of said second eyeshield-retaining means includes a ridge disposed and adapted to be received between adjacent projecting portions of said corrugated strip.
 15. A helmet as defined in claim 14, wherein said second handle projects through said one slot below said stop member, said first eyeshield-retaining means includes an element carried by and cooperating with said second handle for clamping a portion of said cover extending along a side edge of said one slot, said last-mentioned cover portion being disposed between said corrugated strip and said last-mentioned slot side edge.
 16. A helmet as defined in claim 12, wherein said first element of said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a track mounted on a side edge of said one slot and bearing an array of teeth projecting toward the centerline of said one slot, each of said teeth having a horizontal upper surface and a lower surface sloping toward the last-mentioned slot side edge; and wherein said second element of said second eyeshield-retaining means comprises a dog pivoted on said stop member, spring biased toward said last-mentioned slot side edge and disposed to bear downwardly on an upper surface of a tooth of said array, said dog being slidable upwardly along the sloping lower surfaces of said teeth by an upward force exerted on said stop member as aforesaid.
 17. A safety helmet comprising: a. a shell adapted to receive the head of a wearer; b. first and second eyeshields; c. means for mounting both eyeshields on the shell for movement of each eyeshield between an eye-shielding position in front of the wearer''s eyes and a retracted position above the front part of the shell, the eyeshields moving in spaced paths; d. means for positively preventing downward movement of said first eyeshield beyond its eye-shielding position; and e. means, including a projection carried by one of the eyeshields and eXtending into the path of movement of the other eyeshield, for preventing movement of said second eyeshield to eye-shielding position when said first eyeshield is in retracted position, said last-mentioned means permitting movement of said first eyeshield to eye-shielding position independently of said second eyeshield. 